NOSEGAY OF WILD FLOWERS. FAIR rising from her icy couch, Wan herald of the floral year, The Snowdrop marks the Spring's approach, Or peers the Aurun* from its spotted veil, Or odorous Violets scent the cold capricious gale. Then, thickly strewn in woodland bowers, Then springs the Sorrel's veined flowers, From calyx pale, the freckled Cowslip born, And, where the slowly-trickling stream, O'er Vinca's|| matted leaves below. The Ophrys race with varied beauty charm, Wound o'er the hedge-rows' oaken boughs, And blushing, the uncultur'd Rose Hangs high her beauteous blossoms there; Her fillets there the purple Night-shade § weaves, Wake-robin. † Water-violet or Featherfoil. + Bog-bean. Red-berried Bryony. To later Summer's fragrant breath * Clematis feathery garlands dance; Contrasting with the Corn-flower blue, Autumnal months behold thy gauzy leaves From the first bud, whose venturous head All are for health, or food, or 'pleasure given, And speak, in various ways, the bounteous hand of Heaven. Sits as a queen among the scanty tribes A gorgeous ruff of leaves, with arrowy points, Avert all harsh intrusion. On her brow With clustering florets, whose light anthers dance Here the sweet rose would die. But she imbibes From arid sands and salt-sea dewdrops, strength; The native of the beach, by nature form'd, To dwell among the ruder elements. DR. W. H. DRUMMOND. Repent-rooted plants are most valuable for binding the loose sand on the sea-shore and raising those banks which, in Norfolk, and especially in Holland, defend the country from the encroachments of the ocean. The most useful are the Sea-lime-grass, the Sea-Seg, and the Sea-reed, the growth of which, under the name of Marram, is protected by an Act of Parliament. The beautiful SeaEryngo or Sea-Holly, Eryngium maritimum, delights in a similar habitat. TO A BEE. THOU wert out betimes, thou busy, busy Bee! Before the cow from her resting-place On the meadow, with dew so grey, Thou wert working late, thou busy, busy Bee! When the Primrose of Evening was ready to burst, In the silence of the evening hour, Thou art a miser, thou busy, busy Bee! Still on thy golden stores intent, Thy Summer in heaping and hoarding is spent Wise lesson this for me, thou busy, busy Bee. Little dost thou think, thou busy, busy Bee! When the latest flowers of the ivy are gone, Thy master comes for the spoil : Woe then for thee, thou busy, busy Bee. SOUTHEY. The Bee, with unceasing industry, commences its toil in the earliest part of Spring, and culls its sweets from every flower as it successively expands. Early and late in the day, it is actively employed. Reaumur remarks, "I have seen them abroad, before it was light." First from the grey willow's glossy pearls they steal, Or rob the hazel of its golden meal, While the gay crocus and the violet blue Summer and Autumn present their blossoms in due order to these cheerful creatures. Their last resource for food are the flowers of the ivy, which yield a constant supply of honey till the frosts of November. "What is it," says an anonymous writer, "that brings the Bees buzzing round us so busily? See, it is this tuft of colt's-foot which they approach with a harmonious chorus, somewhat like the Non nobis, Domine, of our singers; and after partaking silently of the luxurious banquet, again set up their tuneful Pæans."-It cannot but be regretted, that in taking the stores of these provident insects, so many of their lives are so often sacrificed. Thomson, in his Seasons, gives a pathetic descriptions of their cruel death. (See Autumn, lines 1183, &c.) And thou, sweet Thomson, tremblingly alive THE SPIDER. STILL at the centre she her warp begins, Then round, at length, her little thread she spins, BUT chief to heedless flies the window proves Strikes backward grimly pleas'd; the fluttering wing, And ask the helping hospitable hand. THOMSON. |